an espresso
In short: A single espresso of about 30 ml contains roughly 2 to 3 kcal, while a double espresso, or doppio, of about 60 ml contains roughly 4 to 5 kcal. Both remain low in calories when drunk black, but adding milk, sugar or syrups increases the calorie count.

A single espresso of about 30 ml contains just 2 to 3 kcal. That's almost nothing, as this coffee mainly consists of water with a hint of oil and sugars from the espresso bean. But what about when you order a double espresso? And what happens to the calorie count if you add milk or sugar?

How many calories are in a double espresso (doppio)?

A double espresso of about 60 ml contains roughly 4 to 5 kcal. A doppio is simply two shots of espresso in one cup. Because twice as much coffee is used, the calories double too. Still, the amount remains low: even with 4 to 5 kcal it's negligible in your daily diet.

The same applies here: as long as you drink the doppio black, it remains one of the "lightest" coffee drinks you can order.

The espresso: a low-calorie coffee

An espresso is not only small and powerful, but also almost calorie-free. With just 2 to 3 kilocalories per shot, it's one of the lightest coffee drinks you can enjoy. Even a double espresso barely adds any calories.

Only when you add milk, sugar or syrups does the calorie count quickly rise. If you stick to a pure espresso, you'll enjoy not only the intense flavour but also a drink that hardly affects your daily calorie intake.

Read more about what an espresso is and how to make it well and about what a doppio espresso is.